Seed-corn drier



May 22, 1923.

J. 's. BAlN SEED CORN DRIER Filed May 12 1922 Patented ay 22, 1923.

sEEn-ooRNDB ER.

Application filed May 12, 1922. Serial No. 560,445.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH SMITH BAIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cedar Rapids, in the county of Linn and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seed-Corn Driers; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of this invention is to provide a seed-corn rack with improved spurs for holding the separate ears, and an im- 16 proved support for such spurs, whereby the ears are held rigidly in a suitable, separated position for drying.

. The nature of the invention is fully disclosed in the description and claims following, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a simple, self-supporting rack, with corn disposed in drying position on the upper bar. Fig. 2

shows a sheet metal hang-up rack, with spurs in position on the bottom bar. Fig. 3 shows a sectional fragment of a wooden bar, with a sheet-metal liner. Fig. 4 is a similar view of a wooden bar with a spur in position in its unlined groove. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the preferred type of wire spur. Fig. 6 is a single pronged spur made of flat wire. Fig. 7 shows a cut, double pronged spur made of sheet metal.

In Fig. 1 is shown a simple rack, composed of uprights 5, attached feet 6, a crossbar 7, and corn-supporting bars 8 suitably attached to the uprights, as by staples 9. These bars are best shown in Fig. 3, being formed of sheet metal folded to form a roove 10 to receive and hold tightly the at shank 11 of a spur 12. In Fig. 3 the bar is supposed to be formed of quite thin stock set in a saw-kerf 13 in a wooden bar 4 14:. It is essentially the same as the bars shown in Fig. 1, except in thickness of material, the latter being considerably heavier for the sake of strength. In Fig. 2 the bars are shown punched and folded from a single sheet, thus forming a rack-frame 15, pierced at 16, and adapted to be hung by hooks 17 from any suitable support, as from overhead timbers 18. Wooden bars with a simple saw-kerf would serve the purpose of support, but would be less durable than the metal lined one of Fig. 3, and more apt to permit the spurs to become loose by wear, or owing to atmospheric action.

The characteristic feature of the spur is its broad, fiat shank, which is held by the pinch, or snug fit of the retaining groove in the supporting bar. In the case of a sheet metal bar the metal is folded so that its edges have to spread a trifle as the shank is inserted, the pinch of the slightly elastic metal holding the shank firmly in place. So held, it is evident that the spur cannot swing up or down or sidewise. If the corn-ears are properly mounted on the spurs they are accordingly supported at the proper upward angle, parallel in corresponding rows, and so spaced apart as to cure in perfect condition.

The preferred spur is formed of round wire, which may be easily bent to form a looped shank 11, with pointed tangs springing at an incline and oppositely therefrom. This is adapted to be made very rapidly and accurately by automatic machinery. Fig. 6 shows a single tanged spur,

formed of flat wire, which, if strong,

enough for the purpose, is usually too stifi to take the short bend required in forming the type of shank shown in Fig. 7. This figure represents a spur out from sheet metal stock, and bent to the desired form.

In practice the spurs are first thrust straight into the butt ends of the cobs, and the spur, with its one ear (Fig. 6), or preferably a pair, is then set in position in the groove of the supporting bar. The whole operation is easily and quickly performed, and the corn is then in a proper and stable position for drying.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a seed-corn drier, a supporting bar having an upwardly opening groove therein to receive and hold the shanks of the ear-supporting spurs, and spurs provided with depending shanks to fit snugly in said groove, and to prevent the spurs from tipping or turning sidewise.

2. In a seed-corn drier, a spur-supporting bar having an upwardly opening groove forming a seat for spurs, the sides of the groove being adapted to pinch the spur-shanks, substantially as set forth.

3. In a seed-corn drier, an ear-supporting spur having :1 depending shank exting said groove, and adapted to prevent panded transversely of the spur-tang, and the tang from tipping or turning sidewise. 10 a, support for the spur having an upwardly In testimony whereof I aflix my signeopening groove to'receive said shank. ture in presence of two Witnesses.

4. In a seed-corn drier having an up- I JOSEPH SMITH BAIN. Wardly grooved support for the spur, an Witnesses: ear-supporting spur having an upwardly BESS M. HARTMAN, inclined tang, and 2, depending shank fit- J. M. ST. JOHN. 

